Your sound system. In the future.

Dec 16, 2008 09:46 GMT  ·  By

Most people believe that those who are still listening to their vinyl records are over-conservative and not at all willing to greet with open arms the new multimedia technologies. Portuguese designer Ricardo Baiao has a different perspective on this problem, and his latest creation, codenamed Tria, is a tremendously strong statement that vinyl and modern technology can make a great combination. Tria is an astonishing sound system, centered on a high-tech vinyl records player sporting advanced technology that surpasses by far what you thought you knew about vinyls.

The first thing which will draw your attention is the uncanny and minimalist design of this sound system, abandoning most of the traditional shapes and introducing an edge-design that breathes a futuristic approach to the looks of the product .

For some it may seem strikingly strange that Ricardo Baiao has managed to eliminate pretty much any rounded surface from his work, relying on flat panels with a sporty and almost aggressive presence.

The Tria comprises three elements: the vinyl player/ripper, the stereo loudspeakers, and the remote control center. The first one is an elite vinyl player loaded with no less than 4 cartridges, which allow the playback of both sides without having to take the disc out and turning it yourself. Even more, the self-contained cleaning system will ensure a dramatically longer life for both the cartridges and your discs, while the built-in DSP block sports an efficient noise reduction module, which will come in handy when you want to rip a vinyl record.

The results of the ripping come in MP3 format, and can be stored on the internal 500GB HDD, while the player can connect to other gear via a high-speed USB port. The visual interface is a 22” touchscreen with enhanced functions, which simulate even the tonearm of the vinyl player. The “heart” of the Tria can, of course, connect wirelessly to the speakers and other equipment.

You'll be able to listen to your music using the two floorstanding 3-way loudspeakers that come with no cabinet, only a concave baffle for great focus. The drivers sport their own sealed chambers and are loaded directly in the transparent baffle, making it look like some of the finest (and painfully expensive) luxurious speaker systems.

Finally, the remote control center of the Tria is a work of art itself, not because of the stunning design, but thanks to the OLED touchscreen and the extensive functionality it boasts. You can, of course, add the wireless operation comfort to your vinyl listening habits, as well as set up the speakers and sonic performance while seated in your favorite rocking chair, or while lying on your deep and smooth sofa. All that remains is to see the Tria project in a store, if it will ever make it there.

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Photo Gallery (4 Images)

Tria from Ricardo Baiao, a futuristic approach to vinyl records
No-cabinet loudspeakers looking awesomeEach driver comes with its own sealed chamber
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